L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Trick in the name of public health

The editorial, “Mega sickness” (November 6) rightly condemns the politicial ‘tricks’ of holding free “mega” health camps for innocent and helpless villagers feigning that the government really cares for their health. Such ‘bogus’ free camps help unscrupulous elements in politics, government and private doctors and officials of the Health Department.

The recently held “mega” camp in Moga in which some “27,000 patients were examined and treated” is a clear example of cheating the innocent masses who can not afford costly private treatment and medical facilities in villages are zero. There is no follow-up treatment in mega camps.

It is only the politicians who organise such camps in connivance with dishonest doctors who participate in such eye-wash camps only to promote their self-interest whereas political leaders lap up accolades from illiterate masses.

One must really question the Punjab government’s source of funds for medical camps? As pointed out, it is a case similar to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s ‘sangat darshan’ where public money is misused. It is shameful to learn that the next Punjab budget will have provision for holding such mega medical camps from which none will benefit, except politicians and unscrupulous officials who misuse government facilities and usurp public money.

The public must rise against such agenda of political powers and try to save public money from going down the drain. Instead, this money should be utilised in opening more health centres in rural areas equipped with medical facilities, more infrastructure and capable doctors.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

II

The editorial” Mega sickness” (November 6) deserves appreciation for calling a spade a spade. It is a fact that our leaders try to pass off their duty and the people’s rights as a favour to them.

The health camps cannot be a substitute for hospitals equipped with modern facilities. In other advanced countries, such a ‘band aid’ programme would have raised a hue and cry against the powers that be. These medical camps do not show the government’s benevolence but its criminal negligence.

It is no secret that first our leaders ignore people’s problems at the altar of political and administrative expediency. When things really go out of control, they take recourse to shortcuts and even try to exploit such make-shift arrangement for their narrow political ends.

SACHDI NANDA , Chandigarh.

Serenity is back  The installation of mobile phone jammers in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple has really ringed in soothing news for those seeking solace in the serene environs of Harmandar Sahib (news report “Jammers muffle mobile phones at Golden Temple”, November 9). It is irritating to see pilgrims connecting with their sequential gibberish instead of seeking oneness with the sublime ‘shabad’. They use mobile phones even in the small parikrama where devouts sit in trance with the divine kirtan. Not only the sanctum sanctorum but also the causeway and the parikrama should be strictly made ‘mobile-free’. In fact, instead of forcing this rule down their throat, people in general should make it a habit to switch off their mobiles temporarily when present in such places. All religious places, educational campuses, crematoriums, etc, should be treated as ‘mobile-free zones’. A poet cautions us ironically, “Mobile se kya kya chamatkaar ho rahey hain, / Hamarey bacchey ‘coverage’ se bahar ho rahey hain”. JASWANT SINGH GANDAM, Phagwara